An R&D Manager’s Perspective TechExpo October 5, 2004 Presented by: Veena Rawat
www.crc.ca
A Glimpse of CRC
• Primary federal government laboratory for advanced communications R&D – Agency of Industry Canada
• Major clients: Industry Canada, National Defence, Canadian Space Agency, Canadian industry
• $71M annual budget (2003-2004)
• 235 research staff, 180 corporate staff
• Mission – To help identify and close the innovation gaps in Canada’s communications sector by:– engaging in industry partnerships– building technical intelligence– supporting small and medium-sized high-technology
enterprises
www.crc.ca
Main Thrusts
R&D
Long term R&D to strengthen expertise in key technology areas
Major client-driven activities; IC, DND, CSA and industry
Rural and Remote Broadband Access Program
www.crc.ca
Roles of Federal Laboratories
• Support decision-making, policy development and regulations – rural and remote broadband access– S&T policy and horizontal integration– spectrum management
• Support development of standards (e.g. ITU, NATO, IEEE)
www.crc.ca
Roles of Federal Laboratories
• Support public health, safety, environmental and/or defence needs (e.g. 25% CRC business is for Defence)
• Enable economic and social development (e.g. Innovation Centre)
• These roles are supported by the guiding principles:– Alignment– Linkages– Excellence
www.crc.ca
Industry Canada’s Priorities
• Economic Development– lead the development of broad framework and
policies for economic development
• Science and Technology– develop and implement S&T policy and programs to
increase research and commercialization
• Marketplace– set administrative rules for a fair, efficient and
competitive functioning of the Canadian marketplace
www.crc.ca
CRC’s Core Expertise
• CRC maintains a critical mass of expertise in:– wireless systems – communications networks – radio fundamentals – interactive multimedia – photonics
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R&D Directions
Client Priorities
ExtramuralNetworking
International Technology Trends
Board of Directors
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Research DriversTechnology Trends and Issues
• Broadband• Wireless• Next Generation Internet• Cyber Defence• Public Safety• Security
www.crc.ca
• Government Priorities– economic, social and security issues
• Client NeedsClient Needs– Industry Canada– National Defence– Canadian Space Agency– Private Industry and Universities
• International Research– main contact point for international S&T
initiatives in the ICT Sector
Business Drivers
www.crc.ca
CRC’s Main Clients
• Industry Canada – Spectrum Research Program
– terrestrial wireless, fixed and mobile satellite services, broadcasting services, electromagnetic compatibility, and telecommunications standards
www.crc.ca
CRC’s Main Clients
• National Defence– R&D conducted for Defence R&D Canada
– projects span several communication layers from physical, through network to application, and addresses growing military requirements in network-centric operations for communications interoperability, increased information flow, and effective mobile communications in complex environments
www.crc.ca
CRC’s Main Clients
• Canadian Space Agency– Satellite Communications Program – Canadian
Space Plan– Program management and technical authority
for domestic satellite communications programs
www.crc.ca
• Private Industry– technology commercialization through IP
CRC’s Main Clients
78%
16%
6%
Licenses
Collaborations
Contracting-in
427 Active Agreements226 Active Patents covering 94 inventions
www.crc.ca
• Private Industry– incubation at CRC’s Innovation Centre
– 40 companies incubated since 1994– eight companies currently on site– recent success stories: Skywave Mobile,
Nimcat Networks, Spotwave Wireless
CRC’s Main Clients
www.crc.ca
R&D Management Process
• Ongoing consultation with clients to define their priorities
• Advice and guidance from CRC’s Board of Directors
• Annual strategic planning exercise• CRC R&D community – opportunities for
collaboration identified
www.crc.ca
R&D Outcomes
• Economic growth through technology transfer and company creation
• Advancement of knowledge - strong scientific knowledge base to maintain global competitiveness
• Increased collaborative efforts on issues and challenges of national and international concern
• Policies and regulations based on informed decision-making
www.crc.ca
As a Public Lab we...
• Know technology trends and issues• Know our research strengths• Respond to government priorities through
collaboration, contracting-in, licensing and incubation
• Stay connected to our external environment• Listen to key players in the S&T community• Turn our knowledge into the right research
decisions